“Obesity can damage the body by its mechanically and metabolically adverse effects on normal bodily function; not to mention the psychological anguish it can also bring.”

Gastric bypass surgery is a very successful alternative to normal dieting for the obese and overweight, and is an operation that makes the stomach smaller and causes food to bypass part of the small intestine. As a result, a person feels fuller quicker when eating compared to before gastric bypass surgery. The amount of food consumed is less and therefore fewer calories are absorbed – the end result being weight loss.

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 There are several forms of gastric bypass surgery:

Roux-en-Y Bypass:  This is probably the most common gastric bypass being done today. This procedure involves making a small gastric pouch high in the abdomen and just below the esophagus. A segment of small bowel is then divided and attached to this pouch, sometimes behind the colon and remainder of the stomach. The remainder of the small bowel is then attached to the bowel leading from the liver and pancreas in a shape that resembles a ‘Y’.  Despite its popularity, there are some risks associated, including a narrowing at the connection between the stomach pouch and the small intestine which may require stretching at the opening, and the risk of a slowing down of the emptying of the pouch and small bowel, causing nausea and vomiting.

Mini Gastric Bypass:  This gastric bypass was developed by Dr. Robert Rutledge in 1997.  The mini gastric bypass creates a small gastric pouch much lower in the abdomen than the previous technique and incorporates a loop connection with the small bowel that provides for a malabsorption effect similar to that used by the Roux-en-y bypass.   A patient who has undergone a mini gastric bypass must be careful to avoid calcium and iron deficiencies.  Risks from this operation include leaking, bowel obstruction, blood clots, and pneumonia.

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 Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass:  A Roux en-Y gastric bypass performed laparoscopically.   Even though this operation takes slightly longer than the standard Roux en- Y, the recovery time is shorter.

Gastric Banding:  This gastric operation also limits food intake by placing a constricting ring completely around the upper end (fundus) of the stomach, creating a shape similar to that of an hour-glass.

Gastric bypass is not an operation for everyone who is obese, as it is a major procedure that poses significant risks and side effects that can require permanent alterations to one’s lifestyle.  However the contented customers are numerous – including many figure-conscious celebrities.

Obesity can damage the body by its mechanically and metabolically adverse effects on normal bodily function; not to mention the psychological anguish it can also bring.”

Gastric bypass surgery is a very successful alternative to normal dieting for the obese and overweight, and is an operation that makes the stomach smaller and causes food to bypass part of the small intestine. As a result, a person feels fuller quicker when eating compared to before gastric bypass surgery. The amount of food consumed is less and therefore fewer calories are absorbed – the end result being weight loss.

There are several forms of gastric bypass surgery:

Most Recommended Tips for Gastric Bypass Surgery – A Successful Alternative
http://www.dietbuzzer.com/blog/best-time-for-you-to-lose-weight.html

 Roux-en-Y Bypass:  This is probably the most common gastric bypass being done today. This procedure involves making a small gastric pouch high in the abdomen and just below the esophagus. A segment of small bowel is then divided and attached to this pouch, sometimes behind the colon and remainder of the stomach. The remainder of the small bowel is then attached to the bowel leading from the liver and pancreas in a shape that resembles a ‘Y’.  Despite its popularity, there are some risks associated, including a narrowing at the connection between the stomach pouch and the small intestine which may require stretching at the opening, and the risk of a slowing down of the emptying of the pouch and small bowel, causing nausea and vomiting.

Mini Gastric Bypass:  This gastric bypass was developed by Dr. Robert Rutledge in 1997.  The mini gastric bypass creates a small gastric pouch much lower in the abdomen than the previous technique and incorporates a loop connection with the small bowel that provides for a malabsorption effect similar to that used by the Roux-en-y bypass.   A patient who has undergone a mini gastric bypass must be careful to avoid calcium and iron deficiencies.  Risks from this operation include leaking, bowel obstruction, blood clots, and pneumonia.

Most Recommended Tips for Gastric Bypass Surgery – A Successful Alternative 
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 Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass:  A Roux en-Y gastric bypass performed laparoscopically.   Even though this operation takes slightly longer than the standard Roux en- Y, the recovery time is shorter.

Gastric Banding:  This gastric operation also limits food intake by placing a constricting ring completely around the upper end (fundus) of the stomach, creating a shape similar to that of an hour-glass.

Gastric bypass is not an operation for everyone who is obese, as it is a major procedure that poses significant risks and side effects that can require permanent alterations to one’s lifestyle.  However the contented customers are numerous – including many figure-conscious celebrities.

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Pulmonary Embolism – Patients face a one percent chance of blood clots developing in the legs after surgery. Several techniques can prevent the formation of clots, such as using surgical compression stockings that put pressure on the legs and maintain blood flow in the days following surgery. If clots do form, they may break off and be carried into the lungs, where they can get caught. Emergency surgery is required.

Peritonitis – If a staple or suture used during surgery ruptures and allows stomach fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity, it can cause a serious infection, called peritonitis. Emergency surgery is required to seal the leak, followed by treatment with antibiotics to kill the infection.

Gallstones – More than one-third of gastric bypass surgery patients develop gallstones, which seem to be caused by rapid weight loss. If a patient has gallstones before the operation, the surgeon will remove the gall bladder during the gastric bypass operation to prevent further difficulties. If there are no signs of gall bladder problems, the doctor may prescribe medication to minimize the risk after surgery.

Chronic Vomiting – The connection between the stomach and the intestines can narrow as a result of scar tissue forming. When this occurs, food cannot pass easily through the channel, which may cause nausea and vomiting after eating. To correct the problem during follow-up surgery, the doctor will insert a balloon into the opening and stretch it. This outpatient procedure has a 90 percent success rate.

Dumping Syndrome – This problem occurs when food moves too quickly through the small intestine and causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. Normally, it is caused eating highly refined foods, like sugars. Proper dietary precautions can prevent or control this problem.

Nutritional Deficiencies – Approximately 30 percent of gastric bypass patients develop severe nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disorders. Taking the correct combination of dietary supplements can prevent these problems.

Stomach Ulcers - Ulcers can develop at the top part of the intestine when it is connected to the new stomach pouch. Traditional ulcer treatments are used.

Hernia – Hernias can develop in any part of the abdominal muscles where there is a weak point that allows a part of the stomach or intestines to push through. Surgery can correct this problem.

Pregnancy – Women should not get pregnant for at least two years after surgery to prevent serious post-surgical complications. Women who later become pregnant must also be careful to take the correct nutritional supplements to protect both her and the baby from developing nutritional deficiencies.

Bowel Obstruction – This problem can result when scar tissue develops where the stomach was sewn or stapled to create a smaller pouch. This requires immediate emergency medical treatment that may include surgery.

With all of the hazards involved, you need to carefully weigh the risks against the benefits of gastric bypass surgery. On the positive side, in addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery can dramatically reduce the chance of obesity-related heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, as well as improve lower back and knee problems. Before arranging gastric bypass surgery, discuss all treatment options with your doctor to determine the course of action that is right for you.

This article provides an overview of health issues related to gastric bypass surgery and is not intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner. Please consult your doctor prior to making any major medical decisions.

As there are genuine dangers of undergoing this sort of operation, gastric bypass is decided upon just in cases when the dangers of operation are decreased by the dangers of wellbeing that the over weight individual is facing at the present time. Should you be considering this type of operation for losing weight, you are going to generally be required to suffer from health problems that are instigated or worsened by being obese. For instance, it could be problems when diabetes has progressed or blood pressure is raised too much. By losing the weight that your body is lugging around, owing to gastric bypass or another weight loss method, you should be better capable of undoing or reducing the progress of health problems such as these.

What you should also realize is the fact that gastric bypass is more about preserving your wellbeing then improving your look. Lots of people discover that serious weight loss with any method is extraordinarily difficult and offers a small amount of fast gratification. It is extremely hard to lose just a couple of pounds, without even mentioning the amount that most individuals considering gastric bypass are in need of losing. With this way of losing weight, the body really loses weight fast, basically for the reason that you are not able to eat as large amount as you used to be capable of.

In order to offer you such beneficial health effects, gastric bypass to all intents and purposes, divides the stomach in half. By partitioning the stomach into 2 sections, the lesser of which is at the top, the patient is going to feel his appetite satisfied sooner, and is going to eat only small quantities of food. This will happen as the result of the stomach, after the surgical procedure being considerably smaller. A good number of the people that have used gastric bypass are going to consume more meals smaller in size instead of a few large meals.

With the help of gastric bypass you are going to truly lose a substantial amount of superfluous weight. So in conclusion, if you have tried to drop a significant number of pounds by other methods and failed to succeed, gastric bypass might really be the solution to your problems.

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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that over a third of Americans are overweight or obese (BMI>30). This is a major health concern because obesity increases the risks of many diseases and health conditions such as: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, and bone degeneration.

For most people, diet and exercise are the mainstays of weight management. People who are tremendously overweight, however, may be candidates for weight loss surgery. In general, physicians recommend weight loss surgery for patients who are obese or have a BMI>40.  This is equivalent to being about 100 pounds overweight for men and 80 pounds for women. People may also be considered if they have a lower BMI but also have a serious health condition related to obesity. Furthermore, patients should first try to lose weight through non-surgical means, such as diet and exercise, before going for weight loss surgery.

There are two major types of weight loss surgeries, gastric bypass surgery and gastric banding surgery. Each type has its benefits and risks.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Weight loss with gastric bypass surgery is quick and dramatic. On average, patients lose 38% of their body weight in the first year. In addition, most people maintain their weight loss for over 10 years, with an average weight loss of 25%. Because weight loss is so fast, patients often have an improvement in weight-related health problems quickly.

Gastric bypass surgery, however, is the riskier option. Although generally safe, 10% of patients have minor complications and less than 5% have major complications. The risk of death is less than 1%. Gastric bypass surgery may also result in dumping syndrome, which occurs when food moves too quickly through the stomach. This can result in shaking, sweating, dizziness and diarrhea. Furthermore, gastric bypass surgery is irreversible.

Gastric Banding Surgery

Gastric banding surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed laparoscopically. There are no incisions in the stomach and recovery is usually quicker than for gastric bypass surgery. A band is placed around the stomach which restricts its size and makes you feel fuller more quickly. The band can be tightened or loosened in your physician’s office and can also be reversed by surgically removing the band. Serious complications are uncommon, but the band can slip out of place.

The weight loss after gastric banding surgery, though, is less dramatic. After the first year, patients, on average, lose 21% of their weight. You may also regain some weight over the years. Average weight loss after 10 years is about 13%.

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A recent study done at the Emory University in Atlanta found a significant drop in a hunger-related hormone in post-gastric bypass patients. The hormone is called ghrelin, and is one of 24 different hormones that may help to regulate the appetite.

After patients received the Roux-en-Y procedure, the most common form of gastric bypass surgery, the researchers found the hormone ghrelin dropped by almost a third.

During the weight loss procedure, the size of the stomach is reduced, and some of the upper intestines are bypassed. It is thought that the ghrelin hormone may normally be produced in the bypassed areas of the gastric system.

Dr. Edward Lin, the lead researcher in the study, believes that ghrelin is one of the most powerful appetite stimulating hormones naturally produced in the body. Lowered levels of the hormone may help patients lose weight after their surgery, along with the strict post-surgical diet and the smaller stomach.

Another study conducted by doctors at King’s College London and Hammersmith Hospital discovered that gastric bypass patients produced higher levels of the PYY hormone. This hormone is normally released after a meal to tell the brain you’re full. After a meal, most thin people’s PYY hormone level increases by 50%. However, the study found that post-gastric bypass patients had a 150% increase in their levels of this appetite suppressing hormone.

Interestingly, obese patients who did not undergo the weight loss surgery had little or no increase in the PYY hormone after a full meal. Also, the increased hormone level was found in patients after standard gastric bypass surgery, but not after a gastric banding.

Research is now underway to see if these hormonal changes may be used as an alternative treatment for obesity, without the surgery. Hope for a non-surgical weight loss cure was stirred in 2002 when researchers reported some success in reducing the weight of obese rats with the PYY hormone. Unfortunately, other researchers have been unable to repeat their findings.

Of course, hormones are not the only reasons that gastric bypass patients feel less hungry. Patients are restricted to a water fast for a week or more after their surgery, and many people who experience water fasts find they have no appetite after the first day or two. During the Roux-en-Y procedure, the size of the stomach is greatly reduced, and only small amounts can be comfortably eaten at one time. Many foods, such as red meat and foods high is sugar and fat, can cause nausea and vomiting in post-surgical patients. And most gastric bypass patients receive psychological, behavioral and nutritional counseling both before and after the procedure.

Most post-surgical patients will lose up to 80% of their excess weight after the surgery, but some of this weight is often regained, so much more research is needed.

If scientists can find a hormone or herb that will safely and consistently suppress the appetite and put a stop to habitual overeating, one of the world’s most common illnesses will have found an easy cure.

A lot of folks have been asking about my wife. Here she is. The deal she made was she would not share pics/videos with anyone until her year mark (7/13/08) or she reached her goal weight. (180lbs) GOAL WEIGHT REACHED! 180lbs and STILL GOING! She has lost 155lbs in less than a year. OUTSTANDING! Rebecca has inspired me more than she will ever know! Song is “Suddenly I see.” by KT Tunstall (Devil wears Prada soundtrack) I hope you enjoy, please comment and I will share with her!

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For people who are heavily overweight, and suffering from severe or morbid obesity, dieting and exercise will often produce a short-term weight loss and can bring some marked health benefits. Any weight loss is however short-lived and the vast majority of people (between 80% and 95%) will regain their weight, and often put on further weight, relatively quickly. It is no surprise therefore that many morbidly obese individuals turn in the end to the gastric bypass as a lasting solution to their problem. But just how does the gastric bypass promote long-term weight loss?

To understand the mechanics of the gastric bypass we need to start by considering the normal digestive process.

When we eat, food passes initially into the stomach where it is broken down by a strong acid solution. Once the digestive process has been completed in the stomach, food moves into the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine, and bile and pancreatic juice is added to the mix to continue the process of digestion. It is here in the duodenum that iron and calcium are absorbed into the body.

Food then continues on down the small intestine, which is almost 20 feet in length, passing first through the jejunum and then through the ileum and it is here that the body extracts the bulk of the calories and nutrients contained in the food that we eat. Finally, any food particles that cannot be digested are passed into the large intestine where they are stored until they are passed out of the body.

We gain weight because the food that we eat contains more calories than we need to support the level of activity within the body and so the body, having burnt up the calories that it needs, stores any left-over calories as fat which is dispersed throughout the body.

Gastric bypass works by altering the body’s digestive process in one of two ways.

One form of gastric bypass (referred to as restrictive surgery) physically restricts the quantity of food that we can eat and so not only stops us from consuming more calories than the body needs but reduces our intake to fewer calories than are necessary and so forces the body to start burning off the reserves that it has laid down as fat.

The second form of gastric bypass (referred to as malabsorptive surgery) does not restrict the quantity of food that we can eat but creates a new passage for that food so that a substantial proportion of the small intestine is bypassed and the body is able to extract only a small number of calories. Once again this forces the body to dig into its fat reserves.

In many cases gastric bypass operations are in fact a combination of these two forms and will both restrict the intake of food and reduce adsorption by re-routing the food past much of the small intestine.

There are many variations of the gastric bypass and each has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. Some forms will be more suited to one individual than to another and in other cases it will be very much a matter of personal preference in consultation with your surgeon.

The gastric bypass is a powerful solution to the problem of obesity but it comes at a price and is not without both risk and complication. It is also important to understand that the gastric bypass is not in itself a magic cure for obesity and that you will need to learn to work with your new digestive system by adopting a whole new set of eating habits and a dramatic change to your lifestyle if you are to maintain the weight lost as a result of surgery.

Once the initial and virtually automatic weight loss has been achieved following the gastric bypass it is quite easy to abuse your new digestive system and to start putting the weight back on again.

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Depending on the type of major medical insurance policy you have, most insurance companies will pay for gastric bypass surgery (also called bariatric surgery) if you meet certain conditions. However, some insurance companies have exclusion clauses for treating obesity. These companies refuse to cover any treatment related to “losing weight.” They will, however, treat the diseases caused by excessive body weight.
How do I qualify for coverage?

To qualify for coverage, gastric bypass surgery must be considered a medical necessity. The insurance company will make the final determination. They may rely on the information your doctor sends to them or they may require you to be seen by a doctor that they specify.

In either case, certain conditions must exist. Your weight problem must present a serious risk to your life. Don’t be surprised if they require a complete psychological evaluation in addition to your medical records. It is no secret that people eat too much of the wrong kinds of food for many reasons. While genetics and metabolic rate do affect how much a person weighs, often the primary causes of obesity are emotional and psychological. Gastric bypass surgery will not fix these emotional and psychological problems. In fact, if these issues are not dealt with prior to or along with the surgery, the patient may be more likely to experience serious complications. For this reason, all insurance companies require both a medical and psychological clearance before they will approve the surgery.

Remember, insurance companies are businesses. If they think you are a good candidate to maintain the weight loss permanently and that the ,000 to ,000 dollar price tag for gastric bypass surgery now will save them money in the long run by eliminating payment for other weight related medical problems, they will most likely cover the surgery.

How much will my insurance carrier cover?

If you are approved for gastric bypass surgery, your insurance company will pay anywhere from 50 to 100 percent of the hospital and doctor fees. Some policies will even cover in-home nursing care after release from the hospital if it is deemed necessary by the doctors and approved by the insurance company.

Several different expenses typically are associated with gastric bypass surgery, such as testing to determine eligibility for gastric bypass surgery, pre-admission testing, in-hospital costs, surgeon and other doctor fees, and post-surgery medication and care. Even if your insurance company will not cover the actual procedure, they may cover one or more of the other costs related to your gastric bypass surgery.

How can I make up the difference?

Your surgical center should be able to help you determine what will and will not be covered by your specific policy. In addition, many surgical centers offer low-interest, long-term loans if you are not approved by the insurance company, do not have medical insurance, or have high co-payments.

Since 2000, the total cost of all medically necessary weight loss treatment has been considered a deductible medical expense for income tax purposes. Those tax deductions can help you pay for at least part of the cost of your gastric bypass surgery or help you get back your co-payment for the surgery. Under the Internal Revenue code, treatment for weight loss includes behavioral counseling, nutritional counseling, prescriptions, and gastric bypass surgery if they are undertaken to treat or prevent specific diseases caused by excessive body weight.

This article provides an overview of health issues related to gastric bypass surgery and is not intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner. Please consult your doctor prior to making any major medical decisions.

Although diet and exercise are undoubtedly the safest methods of weight loss available, and the preferred ones, they simply do not work for every person who tries them. As it becomes clear that obesity causes or exacerbates some of the most deadly of diseases, the importance of reducing body weight becomes clear. However, not everyone is helped by and traditional methods of weight loss. For varying reasons, other surgical methods may be required to help a person lose weight.

Surgical Alternatives for Weight Loss

There are several surgical alternatives for weight loss. These alternatives include gastric bypass surgery and gastric band surgery. However, studies have shown that gastric bands not have the same level of benefits as gastric bypass surgery, and in fact may have more complications involved.

Gastric band surgery involves the insertion of a band around a person’s stomach, which divides the stomach into two parts. By placing this band around the stomach, a person feels full far more quickly and can hold less food in his or her stomach. This surgery may have varying degrees of success, although it may be considered less drastic than gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery involves the creation of a smaller stomach pouch which bypasses directly into the digestive system, skipping part of the small intestine. This surgery can be either laparoscopically or through a large incision the stomach. This type of surgery generally involves a four to six day stay in the hospital. It is not done in any except the most severe circumstances.

Candidates for Gastric Bypass Surgery

To be a candidate for gastric bypass certain a person must meet several qualifications. First of all, a person must have been obese for five or more years. This indicates that the person’s weight cannot be lost easily. Second of all, a person must be between the ages of 18 and 65. Gastric bypass surgery cannot be performed on a person that is below or above this age group.

The third and fourth qualifications have more to do with a person’s mental situation, then his or her physical one. The third qualification is that the person must not be an alcoholic. Lastly, the person cannot have untreated depression or other psychiatric disorder.

What to Expect

A person undergoing gastric bypass surgery can expect to lose approximately one third of his or her excess weight within the first one to four years. Some of this weight loss may be regained if a person does not also attempt to change his or her habits after the surgery.

There are many risks a person must undertake if getting a gastric bypass surgery as well. First of all, as with any other surgery, there is a risk of infection. There’s also a risk of ulcers or a hernia developing. Nausea and vomiting after eating can also be side effects of gastric bypass surgery. Any person considering this type of surgery should consult his or her doctor regarding these and other risks.

Some people have gastric bypass surgery and shed 100 pounds or more. What can this surgery do for you?

To answer this question, you will first need to know what gastric bypass surgery is and how it helps you lose weight.

A gastric bypass surgery also known as Roux en-Y surgery is a medical procedure that reduces the size of your stomach causing you to feel full when you have eaten only a small portion. What your surgeon will essentially do is divide your stomach into two sections – a small upper one and a much larger remnant one using surgical staples (which is why this procedure is also known as stomach stapling). The small top pouch is the one that will hold your food. Your surgeon will also re-arrange your small intestine such that both the stomach pouches remain connected to the intestines.

The reduction in the functional volume of your stomach reduces your food intake. Not only that, the re-arrangement of the small intestine causes food to by-pass the first part of the small intestine resulting in reduced calorie absorption. Both these factors help you lose weight.

But is gastric bypass surgery for everyone who needs to lose weight?

That’s a personal choice or your doctor may prescribe it for you. Generally, it is considered in only those individuals who have tried hard but failed to achieve weight loss through exercise and diet.

Obesity, which is a complex disease, leads to other diseases. Morbid obesity or the accumulation of too much body fat increases a person’s risk for developing other health problems or co-morbidities such as heart diseases, diabetes, etc.

But how much fat is too much fat?

That’s calculated by your body mass index or BMI which is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. In simple words, it tells you how much you should normally weigh for your height and if you exceed that normal weight then you are medically considered overweight. Reducing your weight and therefore, your BMI, helps you control the risk of developing obesity related health problems. (Use the BMI calculator to calculate your BMI.)

Like any other surgery there are risks associated with gastric bypass surgery as well. Some of the risks include gastritis (which is an inflammation of the stomach lining), development of gallstones (caused by significant weight loss in a short time), nausea, vomiting, bleeding, infections, and nutritional deficiency (which can be avoided through nutritional supplements). So, when deciding to have the surgery you should carefully weigh the risks associated with it and the problems that it can solve for you.

Variations of gastric bypass surgery are gastric bypass, Roux en-Y proximal; gastric bypass, Roux en-Y distal; and loop gastric bypass or mini-gastric bypass. Gastric bypass surgery is not the only bariatric surgery available for treating morbid obesity. Some people also consider gastric lap-band as an option.

The cost can be a major deciding factor when considering the surgery. Depending upon your specific medical conditions and insurance terms, your health insurance carrier may or may not cover the costs.

The high cost of healthcare has led some Americans to seek treatment in countries like India, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico and Turkey. This practice of going abroad, which is termed as medical tourism or medical travel or health tourism, is a way of getting low cost high quality medical care. But before you decide to outsource your health care it’s extremely important that you do your homework properly – research the facilities, the surgeons, compare the cost and quality offered by different hospitals, talk to people who have had their surgery overseas, etc.

You can learn more about the growing trend of medical tourism, gastric bypass surgery and other medical and dental procedures by logging on to http://www.healthbase.com.

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